‘No law to punish cheating men’

By BARBARA DERUAGE
THERE is no law available to punish men whose wives kill other women for alleged affairs between the husband and other women, so they should consider this when they act out of anger to harm others, Magistrate Cosmas Bidar says.
He made this comment when Esther Eroane, 37, of Sagifa village, Bena, Eastern Highlands, appeared before the Waigani Committal Court accused of killing Fenda Warasi on Oct 29 last year for having an affair with her husband.
“This is one of an increasing number of cases where a woman kills another woman over a man and is becoming common here in Port Moresby and many other provinces,” Bidar said.
“A first wife kills the second wife or vice versa, or a wife kills her husband’s girlfriend or mistress.
“Such cases are increasing and many women are appearing in court for murder,” he said.
It was alleged that Eroane followed Warasi and her husband to Morobe Transit Motel car park at Kwadi Place off Angau Drive, Port Moresby, between 6.30pm and 6.45pm where her husband was trying to book a room for them.
While her husband went to the reception to book a room, Eroane approached Warasi who stood unguarded, and stabbed her several times on the body with a small kitchen knife.
People nearby stepped in to stop and apprehend her but she escaped by getting in a taxi cab.
The deceased suffered multiple injuries and was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital but died due to heavy loss of blood.
Bidar said many women have already died in relation to such cases.
“There are no laws currently which provide punishments for men who cause women to kill other women right now, so it is the women who face the consequences,” he said
“Whatever happens in this court, and if you are committed to the National Court to stand trial and sentenced, you will be the one in prison while your husband will be free and probably marry another woman.”
The case was adjourned to Aug 27 with Eroane in custody.